Water aeration system with floating diffuser

ABSTRACT

A water aeration system powers an air pump held in an encasement with a solar panel mounted directly or indirectly to the encasement or to the mounting pole supporting the encasement above a ground surface. An air conduit directs pumped air to one or more disc diffusers submerged in the body of water to be aerated. The disc diffuser(s) are supported by a floating platform that is suspended from a buoy or float so that the disc diffuser(s) are held at a desired depth below the water surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/821,063, filed Mar. 17, 2020, pending, which is a continuation inpart of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/115,727, filed Aug. 28, 2018, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,639,596, the contents of each of which are incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The field of the present invention relates to solar powered wateraeration systems, particularly with tamper resistant, extended lifeoperation, that incorporate a floating platform to retain one or morediffusers at desired water depth for subsurface aeration.

To sustain marine life in lakes, lagoons, ponds and other bodies ofwater, a sufficient quantity of oxygen in the water is essential. Anincrease in organic matter production by algae and plants createsgreater demand on dissolved oxygen in the water as the organic matterdecomposes. The deeper waters in a pond or other body of water may bedepleted of oxygen and thus destroy fish habitat. Serious oxygendeficiencies are more likely to occur where there is a combination ofhigh temperature and little wind, along with decaying organic materials.In summer months, storms with high winds may cause a pond to turn overand mix oxygen-deficient water from the bottom of the pond with thesurface water, thus further depleting the oxygen supply. During winter,ice and snow covering the water body may also cause oxygen levels tolower.

Oxygen can be restored to a body of water by injecting dissolved oxygenat predetermined depths (subsurface aeration) or by pumping water at thesurface as a fountain (surface aeration). Energy efficient means forrestoring oxygen continue to be sought.

Various techniques for introducing oxygen to ponds by subsurfaceaeration with benefit of solar powered equipment have been disclosed inthe prior art. As one example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,359 a solaractivated water aeration station provides a floating base on which apump and pump motor and a solar panel for energizing the motor aremounted. An air tube with openings at its distal end extends from thepump and floating base into the water to release air bubbles into thewater. A submerged anchor holds the floating base in a desired locationof the body of water to be aerated. All of the equipment (the pump, pumpmotor and solar panel), as well as the floating base, are visible abovethe body of water and detract from aesthetics.

As another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,837 a solar aeration systemimmerses a diffuser into a pond. A pump installed in a control box on aground surface outside of the pond is powered via a solar panel that ismounted to a post held in the ground surface.

Yet another example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,675 in which a solaraeration system has a top container mounted by a pole over a lowercontainer that is submerged into a body of water to be aerated. The topcontainer houses an air pump and supports a solar cell. The lowercontainer houses a filter. Air is pumped into the lower container andcreates bubbles that float out of the lower container into the body ofwater to be aerated. The entirety of the top container is visible abovethe body of water and detracts from aesthetics.

Such prior solar activated subsurface aeration systems suffer certaindrawbacks. Floating systems are difficult to install and difficult toaccess for maintenance. Ground mounted systems are subject to damagefrom tampering, and air tubes or conduits can be harmed by lawnmaintenance equipment. Many prior systems include batteries or energyaccumulators in association with the solar panels. Such batteries orenergy accumulators have limited service life and often need repair.Some prior systems include fans to cool pump motors that not onlydeplete energy from the battery or energy accumulator, but can beclogged by debris or suffer failure due to wear of moving parts, such asbearings and blades. Improvements to solar activated water aerationsystems to overcome these drawbacks continue to be sought.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a water aeration system has at least onemounting pole defining an inner channel substantially along its length.The bottom end of the mounting pole is adapted for insertion into aground or a footing for establishing the mounting pole upright with itstop end above the ground or footing surface. Preferably the mountingpole has a length of about eight feet (about 2.4 m) or more, with aportion of the length of the pole integrated into a sufficientfoundation to bear the wind loads found in the installation zone.

An encasement is mounted at or near the top end of the at least onemounting pole. The encasement defines an internal space in which an airpump and a solar power controller are housed. The encasement has atleast one air permeable wall, preferably at least two air permeablewalls. The air permeable wall(s) may be a perforated sheet, a screen, amesh or a wire mesh.

A conduit is supplied to receive air pumped into the conduit by the airpump. The conduit is connected at one end to the air pump and at itsopposite end to at least one diffuser. At least a portion of its lengthof the conduit is positioned within the channel of the at least onemounting pole. Another portion of the length of the conduit is immersedin the water in which the diffuser is immersed. Some portion of theconduit may be buried from the point it exits the mounting pole andenters the water. Preferably, no portion of the length of the conduit isabove ground or out of water except for the portion(s) positioned withinthe channel of the at least one mounting pole or inside the encasement.

A solar panel is directly or indirectly joined to the encasement or themounting pole such that the solar panel is at or near the top end of themounting pole. The solar panel generates power that may be converted tocurrent for driving the air pump. A controller associated with the solarpanel converts photovoltaic electrical power from the solar panel tocurrent for driving the air pump. Preferably, the controller is encasedin the same internal volume of the encasement structure with the airpump.

The subsurface aeration diffuser or diffusers is/are submerged into abody of water to be aerated, such as, but not limited to, ponds orlagoons. These bodies of water include storm water retention ponds,waste water settlement ponds, golf water hazard ponds, irrigation ponds,farm waste ponds, parks and recreation ponds, mine remediation ponds,dead end canals, sewage lagoons, and fish hatcheries.

Preferably, the water aeration system is operated without a battery orother energy accumulator.

In a second aspect of the invention, a pole-mounted enclosure for asolar-powered water aeration system has at least one mounting poledefining an inner channel substantially along its length and having atop end and a bottom end, with the bottom end adapted for insertion intoa ground or a footing for establishing the mounting pole upright withits top end above the ground or footing surface. An encasement structureis mounted at or near the top end of the mounting pole. The encasementdefines an internal space adapted for holding an air pump or source ofcompressed air, and has at least one air permeable wall. One or morebrackets are joined either to the encasement or at or near the top ofthe mounting pole that are adapted to join a solar panel to thepole-mounted enclosure.

A conduit for pumped air is adapted for connection to the air pump orsource of compressed air at a first end and adapted for connection atits opposite end to at least one diffuser. Preferably, the conduit has aportion of its length positioned within the channel of the mounting poleand a portion of its length immersible in water in which the diffusermay be immersed.

One or more brackets are provided for mounting at least one solar panelto the encasement or the mounting pole at or near the top end of themounting pole.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the encasement definesat least one trough in a side edge, and one of the sidewalls slidablyengages with the trough. Preferably, at least one sidewall of theencasement is air permeable. In this embodiment, the slidably engageablesidewall defines holes therethrough, making the sidewall air permeable.

In still another aspect of the invention, the solar panel defines asun-facing surface and an opposite surface, and one or more protectivescreens is positioned over at least a portion of the opposite surface(e.g. underside) of the solar panel to protect the solar panel fromtampering and/or damage. In one embodiment with protective screens, afirst frame and a second frame are appended or attached to a top surfaceor a side surface of the enclosure and configured to connect to theopposite surface of the solar panel. Then, each of the one or moreprotective screens comprises a bent flange configured to contact one ofthe first frame or the second frame. In addition, preferably, each ofthe one or more protective screens defines a plurality of holesextending therethrough for improved convection cooling of the oppositesurface of the solar panel.

Another embodiment of the invention is a water aeration system with afloating platform to support one or more diffusers submerged a desireddepth below the water surface. The water aeration system may have amounting pole having a top end and a bottom end, with the bottom endadapted for insertion into a ground or a footing spaced apart from andoutside of a body of water to be aerated for establishing the mountingpole upright with its top end above the ground or footing surface. Anencasement is mounted at or near the top end of the mounting pole. Anair pump is held within the encasement. A conduit for air pumped intothe conduit by the air pump is connected at one end to the air pump andat its opposite end is adapted to connect directly or indirectly to atleast one diffuser. A solar panel is directly or indirectly joined tothe encasement or to the mounting pole such that the solar panel is ator near the top end of the mounting pole. The solar panel generatespower that may be converted to current for driving the air pump.

A floating diffuser platform system is positioned in the body of waterto be aerated with the water aeration system. The floating diffuserplatform system has a platform, a buoy or float, one or more linesjoining the buoy or float to the platform, and one or more diffuserssecured directly or indirectly to the platform. An anchor is linked orjoined to the floating diffuser platform by one or more anchor lines.The anchor holds the floating diffuser platform in a desired location ofthe pond or other body of water to be aerated. The buoy or floatsupports the platform in a floating, but submerged configuration to keepthe diffuser(s) at a desired depth below the water line of the pond orbody of water to be aerated. An example of a desired depth is between 5and 15 feet below the water surface, more preferably from about 8 toabout 9 feet. The buoy or float has a floating profile that does notdetract from the aesthetics of the pond, with the remaining floatingdiffuser platform system components submerged in the pond and remainingout of sight.

Piping that is configured to join the second end of the air conduit tothe one or more diffusers is held on or near the top surface of theplatform. In an advantageous embodiment, the platform has one or moreupstanding sidewalls extending away from the top surface and surroundingthe piping. Each of the sidewalls may define one or more holestherethrough. Such holes permit greater water circulation to thediffuser(s) supported on the platform. The piping configured to join thesecond end of the air conduit to the one or more diffusers may extendthrough one of said one or more holes.

A more complete understanding of the invention, including anunderstanding of the various configurations of water aeration systemsand floating platforms for water aeration systems, will be afforded tothose skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additionaladvantages and objects thereof, by consideration of the followeddetailed description. Reference will be made to the appended drawingsheets which will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar components:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a solar poweredwater aeration system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right front perspective view of a mounting pole andencasement for the pump and controller of the water aeration system ofFIG. 1, showing a side panel in an open configuration for access to theencasement interior;

FIG. 3 is a left rear perspective view of the mounting pole andencasement for the pump and controller, also including a solar panelmounted to the encasement, of the water aeration system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the encasement showing theencasement interior;

FIG. 5 is a right front perspective view of the diffuser and diffuserplatform of the solar powered aeration system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right front perspective view of a mounting pole andencasement for a pump and controller of a second embodiment of the wateraeration system according to the invention, without the solar panelmounted thereto;

FIG. 7 is a left bottom perspective view of the mounting pole andencasement for the pump and controller of the second embodiment of thewater aeration system of FIG. 6, showing the solar panel mounted theretowith protective screens;

FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view in partial cross section showingthe water aeration system of FIG. 6 with the solar panel and protectivescreens of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of a solar poweredwater aeration system according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a right front perspective view of a floating diffuser systemof the solar powered water aeration system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a magnified front perspective view of the platform and dualdiffusers of the floating diffuser system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the platform and piping connections forthe dual diffusers of the floating diffuser system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the platform and piping connections forthe dueal diffusers of the floating diffuser system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a magnified front perspective view of an alternative platformand single diffuser suitable for a floating diffuser system of the solarpowered water aeration system of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the platform and piping connections forthe single diffuser of the floating diffuser system of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 show an embodiment of awater aeration system 10 and its components. Referring first to FIGS. 1and 5, the water aeration system 10 includes an immersed fine pore tubediffuser 12 that is mounted to a mounting 15 on a diffuser platform ortray 14. The diffuser 12 and diffuser platform or tray 14 are immersedin a body of water, such as a pond 24 to be aerated.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the diffuser 14 includesone or more diffuser tubes or arms 16 that are perforated or pierced toform holes that permit fluids, such as air or other gases, to flow outof the diffuser tubes or arms 16 into the body of water. As the airescapes from or flows out of the diffuser tubes or arms 16, air bubbles22 form in the water and serve to transfer oxygen to the water to aeratethe pond 24.

Various diffusers or bubblers are known in the market. One exemplarydiffuser, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, is a JETFLEX tube diffuseravailable from Jager Umwelt Technik GmbH Co. KG. Diffusers are availablein the shape of discs, plates, tubes or hoses constructed fromglass-bonded silica, porous ceramic, PVC or perforated membranes orconduits made from EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber and/ora slit silicone sheet. Air pumped through the diffuser membranes isreleased into the water. The bubbles released from the diffuser may befine bubbles, with diameters smaller than 3 mm, or larger bubbles withdiameters greater than 3 mm. As a general rule, smaller bubbles and adeeper release point will generate a greater oxygen transfer rate intothe water. Other tube diffusers or disk diffusers may be secured todiffuser platform or tray 14 as desired. The invention is not limited toany one specific diffuser or bubbler.

Platform or tray 14 preferably is formed of a corrosion-resistantmaterial, such as but not limited to stainless steel.

The diffuser 12 emits pumped air that is transmitted through an airconduit 20 from a pump 60 to the diffuser 12. The pump 60 is mounted inan encasement structure 34 as described further herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the solar power assembly 30 includes anencasement structure 34 that is secured to a top 31 of a mounting pole32. A receiver cylinder 18 is integrated into the encasement structure34. The receiver cylinder 18 receives the top 31 of the pole 32 tosecure the top 31 to the encasement structure 34. The receiver cylinder18 has an open top end. The receiver cylinder 18 has an internaldiameter slightly larger than the external diameter of the top 31 of thepole 32. When the two are joined, the top 31 of the pole 32 goes intothe receiver cylinder 18 and then is locked into place, such as with aset screw. This has the advantage of installing the pole such that it isvertical. When the encasement is placed, it can be rotated so that thesolar panel faces south when it is installed in the northern hemisphere,and north when it is installed south of the equator.

In the embodiment shown, the mounting pole 32 has a bottom 33 that isheld in the ground 26, and preferably is held in association with afooter 28 installed in the ground 26. The mounting pole 32 preferablyhas a length in the range of about 8 feet to about 10 feet (2.4 to 3.1m). A shorter or longer pole length may be used depending on themounting location and other factors (e.g., shipping costs). The mountingpole 32 preferably comprises a hollow core or channel therein. In onepreferred embodiment, the mounting pole comprises an extrudedrust-resistant metal tube or pipe, such as but not limited to a steelalloy or stainless steel or aluminum or an aluminum alloy. A schedule 40or schedule 80 rigid steel pipe is one exemplary mounting pole.

The encasement structure 34 has a front face 35, a rear face 36, abottom face 38 and a top face 40. The side panels 42, 44 of theencasement structure 34 comprise an air permeable material, such as aperforated sheet, a screen or a mesh. The air permeable material permitssufficient air flow into the interior of the encasement structure 34 sothat equipment held inside the encasement structure 34 remains at ornear ambient temperature. Examples of suitable air permeable materialsinclude but are not limited to: metal screen, perforated metal, expandedmetal sheet, wire mesh, wire screen, coated wire mesh, coated wirescreen, composite material mesh, nylon screen, and moldable materialmesh or screen. Preferably, one side panel 42 is joined by hinges to thebottom face 38 so that the side panel 42 may be tilted open for accessto the interior space of the encasement structure 34.

The encasement structure 34 may be formed with powder coated sheetsteel, or of stainless steel, or aluminum, or plastics (e.g., vacuummolded or injection molded or 3D printed).

A pump 60 is held within the interior space of the encasement structure34. A controller 62 for converting solar energy to DC or AC current topower the pump 60 also is installed within the interior space of theencasement structure 34. Exemplary controllers 62 that may be used inthe water aeration system include: a linear current booster (LCB); apulse width modulated (PWM) controller; and a maximum power pointtracking (MPPT) controller. Known suppliers for LCB controllers includeSolar Converters and Sunpumps. Known suppliers for MPPT controllersinclude Morningstar, Outback, Xantrex and Midnite Solar. Preferably, aquick release internal controller mounting system with an integratedterminal strip electrically connects the controller 62 to the pump 60.The quick release can be decoupled for repair or replacement.

One exemplary pump 60 is a DC-powered linear air pump. One suitable lowmaintenance, oil free, linear air pump is offered by Alita Industries,Inc. and has a rated performance of 60 liters per minute at 15 kPa.Other suitable pumps include diaphragm or piston pumps with DC motors,particularly those rated for marine or RV or other outdoor use. Pumpsrated for 80 liter, 120 liter or 150 liter pumping capacity are alsosuitable.

An air tube or air conduit 20 is joined at one end to the output of thepump 60 and is joined at its opposite end to the diffuser 12. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the air tube or air conduit 20 isthreaded through the open top of the receiver cylinder 18 and into thehollow opening of the mounting pole 32 and is held therein. The air tubeor air conduit 20 extends substantially along the length of the mountingpole 32, and is then buried under ground 26 to keep the air tube or airconduit 20 secure from tampering or from damage to which it would besubject if it were left exposed along the outside of the mounting pole32 or on the ground surface 26. Preferably, all or substantially all ofthe air tube or air conduit 20 that is above the ground surface issecured against tampering and damage by being within the encasementstructure 34 or within the mounting pole 32 or other protectivestructure associated with the encasement structure 34 and mounting pole32.

Preferably, the air tube or air conduit 20 is a thick-walled flexibletube that does not float. One exemplary air tube 20 is a Kuri TecNautilus air tube from Kuriyama of America, Inc.

A first mounting 46 is joined to the front face 35 of the encasementstructure 34. A second mounting 48 is joined to the rear face 36 or thetop face 40 of the encasement structure 34. The mountings 46, 48 maycomprise brackets that connect to frame beams or sections 66 that holdthe edges of a solar panel 50, and rail mountings 49 that engage rearstructure of the solar panel. The combination of mountings 46, 48, 49and beams 66 are used to secure the solar panel 50 to the encasementstructure 34 so that the solar panel 50 is mounted above the encasementstructure 34. The top 40 of the encasement structure may be in contactwith the rear face of the solar panel 50 for added stability in themounting. In most circumstances, however, a gap is left between the top40 of the encasement structure and the rear face of the solar panel 50to permit air flow and convective cooling of the solar panel 50.

The solar panel 50 is directly or indirectly electrically connected tothe controller 62. Solar energy collected by the solar panel 50 isconverted to DC current that may be used to power motor 60. If desired,an inverter to convert DC current to AC current to power motor 60. Anyof the available solar panel technologies can be used with the wateraeration system according to the invention, whether monocrystalline,multicrystalline, thin film or any other type.

The receiver cylinder 18 allows for quick and secure installation ofpanels and components to the mounting pole 32 and air tube 20 withminimal installation tools. The receiver cylinder 18 secures the solarpanel 50 and encasement structure 34 combination to the mounting pole.The encasement structure 34 may be rotated on the mounting pole 32 tocustomize orientation of the system at the mounting site. Once oriented,the encasement structure 34 may be secured to the top of the mountingpole 32 via the receiver cylinder 18 with dual lock bolts (not shown).

We have found that a battery or an energy accumulator is not needed. Thepump 60 is powered during those times when there is sufficient daylightfor the solar panel 50 to collect solar energy. While the pump is notpowered at other times, we have found that daytime only operation of thewater aeration system is sufficient to aerate a body of water. In thesummer months, when aeration is most important, daylight hours arelonger and the water aeration system pumps air to the diffuser for alonger duration. In the winter months, when aeration is still desirable,the water aeration system pumps air to the diffuser for a shorterduration because there are fewer daylight hours. However, we have foundsuch durations to be sufficient during each of these seasons. The outputof the solar array has a daily solar rhythm or circadian rhythm thatmatches the need and capacity for aeration of the pond or other waterbody for each season during the calendar year.

We have found that a fan to cool the pump is not needed. The airpermeable side panels 42, 44 permit sufficient air flow into theencasement structure 34 to maintain ambient temperatures therein. Thepump 60, such as a linear air pump, is cooled solely by this air flowthrough the encasement structure. The natural convective movement of airpast the pump is a passive cooling strategy that obviates the need for amotor driven method of moving air (such as a fan).

We have found that mounting the solar panel 50, controller 62 and pump60 at a sufficient height above the ground prevents damage fromtampering. In addition, threading the air conduit or tube 20 from thepump to the diffuser through a hollow channel in the mounting pole 32protects the air conduit or tube from tampering and from damage that canoccur during lawn maintenance. Because the air conduit or tube is not onthe ground surface, it is not exposed to possible cutting or otherdamage from lawn mowers or trimmers, and it is not a tripping hazard topassersby.

Referring next to FIGS. 6-8, an alternative embodiment of an enclosurefor a water aeration system 100 has an encasement structure 34A to housethe air pump 60 and the solar controller 62. The encasement structure34A has at least one trough 90 and at least one sidewall or side panel42A that slidably engages with the at least one trough 90. The at leastone sidewall or side panel 42A may then be secured to flanges of theadjacent walls of the encasement with removable fasteners, such asscrews.

A first mounting 46A is joined to the front face 35 of the encasementstructure 34A. A second mounting 48A is joined to the rear face 36 orthe top face 40 of the encasement structure 34A. The mountings 46A, 48Amay comprise brackets that connect to frame beams or sections 66 thathold the edges of a solar panel 50, and rail mountings 49 that engagerear structure of the solar panel. The combination of mountings 46A,48A, 49 and beams 66 are used to secure the solar panel 50 to theencasement structure 34A so that the solar panel 50 is mounted above theencasement structure 34A. The top 40 of the encasement structure may bein contact with the rear face of the solar panel 50 for added stabilityin the mounting. In most circumstances, however, a gap is left betweenthe top 40 of the encasement structure 34A and the rear face of thesolar panel 50 to permit air flow and convective cooling of the solarpanel 50.

The solar panel 50 has a face surface on which the photovoltaic cellsare held and an opposite surface. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and8, the opposite surface of the solar panel 50 is protected fromtampering and from damage by protective screens 80,82,84 and 86.Protective screens 80, 82 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 aregenerally rectangular and have an upstanding flange 81, 83 along onelengthwise side edge. The upstanding flanges 80, 82 abut upstanding wallportions of the mountings 46A, 48A respectively, and may be joinedthereto. The protective screens 80, 82 are secured to the underside ofthe beams 66 holding the solar panel 50 with fasteners, such as screws.Preferably the protective screens 80, 82 define a plurality of holes 110therethrough to permit air flow to the opposite surface or back side ofthe solar panel 50 for convective cooling of the solar panel 50.

Protective screens 84, 86 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 aregenerally trapezoidal shaped, and have bent flanges 88, 88B extendingfrom the top and bottom edges of the trapezoid. The bent flanges 88, 88Bare configured to seat over base portions of the mountings 46A and 48Ajoined to the encasement 34A. The protective screens 84, 86 are securedto the underside of the beams 66 holding the solar panel 50 withfasteners, such as screws. Preferably the protective screens 84, 86define a plurality of holes 112 therethrough to permit air flow to theopposite surface or back side of the solar panel 50 for convectivecooling of the solar panel 50.

The protective screens 80, 82, 84, 86 prevent damage to the solar panel50 by creating a barrier to projectiles (e.g., stones, golf balls). Suchprojectiles contact the screens rather than the underside or oppositesurface of the solar panel.

Protective screens 80, 82, 84, 86 may be formed of powder coated sheetsteel, or of stainless steel, or aluminum, or plastics (e.g., vacuummolded or injection molded or 3D printed).

Referring next to FIGS. 9-15, an alternative solar powered wateraeration system 200 is shown. The water aeration system 200 includes anencasement structure 34 (or optionally encasement structure 34A)supporting a solar panel 50 and housing an air pump that is powered bythe solar panel 50. The encasement structure 34, 34A is mounted by ahollow or substantially hollow mounting pole 32 that is seated at onepole end 33 in a footer 28 in the ground 26. A conduit 20 extends fromthe pump to one or more diffusers submerged in the body of water to beaerated. The conduit 20 as shown in FIG. 9 preferably is secured fromtampering because it is held inside the pole 32, and is buried belowground level and then extends into the body of water to be aerated.

Different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the water aerationsystem 200 of FIG. 9 includes a floating diffuser system 210. To improvewater aeration performance for deeper bodies of water, such as pondshaving pond depths greater than ten (10) feet, it can be helpful tomaintain the diffuser(s) at a desired depth below the water surface thatis less than the full pond depth. Exemplary depths are in the range offrom 5 feet to 12 feet below the water surface. A floating diffusersystem 210 according to the invention provides a submerged platform 220that supports one or more diffusers 270 at a desired depth positionbelow the water surface.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the floating diffuser system 210 has aplatform 220 having a top surface 222 and a bottom surface 224 oppositefrom the top surface 222. Upstanding sidewalls 226 surround the topsurface 222. The upstanding sidewalls 226 may be angled outwardly awayfrom the top surface 222 at an angle in the range of from 30 degrees to80 degrees, preferably 45 degrees to 60 degrees. The upstandingsidewalls 226 define one or more elongate holes 228 therethrough. Theelongate holes 228 permit greater water circulation to the diffuser(s)supported on the platform. The air bubbles emitted from the diffuser(s)270 float to the surface and create a current flow that pulls water atthe diffuser depth up to the pond surface. This water circulation isimportant to aerating the water in the pond in which the floatingdiffuser system 210 has been installed.

One or more of the upstanding sidewalls 226 also may define one or moreother holes 230 therethrough to receive conduit or piping 232 to connectthe conduit hose 20 from the air pump 60 to the disc diffuser(s) 270.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10-13, the platform 220 supports twodiffusers 270 and conduit pipe 232 is provided with a common header andtwo tube openings, each such tube opening to operatively connect to anindividual disc diffuser 270. In the embodiment of FIGS. 14-15, theplatform 220 supports one diffuser 270 and conduit pipe 234 is providedwith header connected to one tube opening to operatively connect to oneindividual disc diffuser 270.

A portion of the airline conduit hose 20 may be supported by theplatform 220 by looping the airline conduit hose 20 through a strap 236extending from the bottom surface 224 of the platform 220.

A buoy or float 240 has an elongate body 242 with flanges 244, 246formed at each end. The buoy may be made of polystyrene or polyurethaneor other marine-grade material with sufficient buoyancy to remainfloating at a surface of a body of water and to support the platform 220and disc diffusers 270 at a desired depth in the body of water.

Connection lines 250 are joined at one end to the buoy 240 and at theopposite end to the sidewalls 226 of the platform 220. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 10, the connection lines 250 are looped into receivingloops or rings 238 attached to the sidewalls 250, and then clamped withrope clamps 252.

A boat bumper can be used as the buoy or float 240. Boat bumpersgenerally have an eyelet at each end to which the connection lines 250may be attached.

An anchor 260 is joined to the bottom surface 224 of the platform 220 bya rope or line 262 that is tied or clamped to the anchor 260 and tied orclamped to a connection ring or loop extending from the bottom surface224 of the platform 220. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, rope clamps264 are used to secure the ends of the line 262.

The anchor line 262 should have slack, e.g., a sufficient length toadjust for anticipated fluctuations in water depth. For example, if theconnection lines 250 from the buoy 240 to the platform are of a lengthof nine (9) feet, and if the pond depth is nominally twelve (12) feetdeep, the anchor line 262 should have a length calculated as the ponddepth, minus nine (9) feet, plus two (2) feet slack to adjust for waterlevel fluctuations: 12′−9′=3′+2′=5′. In this example, the length of theanchor line 262 should be five (5) feet long.

The disc diffusers may be fine bubble membrane disc diffusers thatgenerally are available in 7-inch, 9-inch and 12-inch diameter.Depending upon the disc size, the air flow rates are generally from 0.5to 10 scfm when submerged in water from a depth of 5 feet to 15 feet.

While not wishing to be bound by one theory, we have found thatdetermining a preferred depth of the diffuser(s) in the body of waterdepends in part on the pumping capacity for the air pump. For example,when using an air pump with an 80 liter or 120 liter pump capacity, adesired depth for the diffuser(s) is about 8 or 9 feet below the watersurface. When using an air pump with an 150 liter pump capacity, adesired depth for the diffuser is about 10 to about 12 feet.

The floating diffuser system 210 according to the invention keeps thedisc diffusers 270 at optimum submerged depth to aerate a body of water.From the water surface, only the buoy or float 240 is visible, with theplatform 220 and the disc diffusers 270 remaining submerged. Due to themodest size profile of the buoy or float 240, the floating diffusersystem 210 does not detract from pond aesthetics.

The platform 220 onto which the disc diffusers 270 is mounted may beintroduced to the water of the pond with the top surface 222 and thedisc diffusers 270 facing downwardly toward the bottom or floor of thepond. As the platform 220 sinks into the water, and with the discdiffusers 270 activated, due to what is called a “reverse parachute”effect, before the platform 220 reaches the pond bottom, the platform220 will flip over (invert) so that the top surface 222 and the discdiffusers 270 face the top surface of the pond to be aerated.

Thus, various configurations of solar powered water aeration systems aredisclosed. While embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manymore modifications are possible without departing from the inventiveconcepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restrictedexcept in the spirit of the following claims.

Glossary

-   10 water aeration system-   12 diffuser-   14 diffuser platform-   15 mounting plate for diffuser-   16 diffuser arm-   18 receiver cylinder-   0 conduit from pump to diffuser-   22 air bubbles-   24 pond-   26 ground-   28 footer-   30 solar power assembly-   31 top of mounting pole-   32 hollow mounting pole-   33 bottom of mounting pole-   34 encasement-   34A encasement-   35 front face of encasement-   36 rear face of encasement-   38 bottom of encasement-   40 top of encasement-   42 side panel of encasement-   44 side panel of encasement-   46 frame mounting for solar panel-   46A frame mounting for solar panel-   48 frame mounting for solar panel-   48A frame mounting for solar panel-   49 rail mounting for solar panel-   50 solar panel-   60 air pump-   62 solar controller-   66 beams holding solar panel-   80 protective screen-   81 flange-   82 protective screen-   83 flange-   84 protective screen-   86 protective screen-   88 bent flange-   90 trough-   92 optional trough-   100 water aeration system-   110 holes-   112 holes-   200 water aeration system with floating diffuser platform-   210 floating diffuser platform-   220 platform-   222 top surface of platform-   224 bottom surface of platform-   226 sidewall-   228 elongate holes-   230 hole-   232 conduit for two disc diffusers-   234 conduit for one disc diffuser-   236 strap-   238 ring or hook-   240 buoy or float-   242 elongate body of buoy or float-   244 flange at end of buoy or float-   246 flange at end of buoy or float-   250 connection lines-   252 rope clamps-   260 anchor-   262 line to anchor-   264 rope clamps-   270 disc diffuser/bubbler/aerator

What is claimed is:
 1. A floating platform for a water aeration system,comprising: a buoy or float; one or more lines joining the buoy or floatto the platform, the platform comprising a top surface and a bottomsurface opposite the top surface, and one or more upstanding sidewallsextending away from the top surface; one or more diffusers secureddirectly or indirectly to the top surface of the platform; and an airconduit having a first end and a second end, said first end of said airconduit operatively connected directly or indirectly to a source ofpumped air, and said second end of said air conduit connected directlyor indirectly to the one or more diffusers.
 2. The floating platform ofclaim 1, further comprising: an anchor linked to the platform by one ormore anchor lines.
 3. The floating platform of claim 1, wherein aportion of the air conduit is movably joined to the platform.
 4. Thefloating platform of claim 1, wherein piping configured to join thesecond end of the air conduit to the one or more diffusers is held on ornear the top surface of the platform.
 5. The floating platform of claim4, wherein the one or more upstanding sidewalls extending away from thetop surface surround the piping.
 6. The floating platform of claim 1,wherein each of said sidewalls defines one or more holes therethrough.7. The floating platform of claim 6, wherein piping configured to jointhe second end of the air conduit to the one or more diffusers extendsthrough one of said one or more holes.
 8. The floating platform of claim1, wherein the one or more lines have a length in the range of from 5feet to 15 feet.
 9. A method for installing a floating platform for anair diffuser into a body of water, comprising: connecting a first end ofan air conduit directly or indirectly to a source of pumped air;connecting a second end of the air conduit directly or indirectly to theair diffuser mounted on a top surface of the floating platform, whereinthe floating platform has a bottom surface opposite the top surface;joining a buoy or a float to the floating platform by one or more lines;and placing the floating platform in the body of water at a depth belowa top surface of the body of water, with the top surface of the floatingplatform directed away from the top surface of the body of water. 10.The method of installing a floating platform for an air diffuser ofclaim 9, further comprising: activating the source of pumped air; andallowing the floating platform to invert so that the top surface of thefloating platform is directed toward the top surface of the body ofwater.
 11. The method of installing a floating platform for an airdiffuser of claim 10, wherein one or more upstanding sidewalls extendaway from the top surface of the platform, with said one or moreupstanding sidewalls defining a plurality of holes therethrough.
 12. Themethod of installing a floating platform for an air diffuser of claim11, wherein the one or more upstanding sidewalls surround the airdiffuser.
 13. The method of installing a floating platform for an airdiffuser of claim 9, wherein a second air diffuser is mounted on the topsurface of the floating platform.
 14. The method of installing afloating platform for an air diffuser of claim 10, wherein a second airdiffuser is mounted on the top surface of the floating platform.
 15. Themethod of installing a floating platform for an air diffuser of claim12, wherein a second air diffuser is mounted on the top surface of thefloating platform, and the one or more upstanding sidewalls surround theair diffuser and the second air diffuser.
 16. The method of installing afloating platform for an air diffuser of claim 9, further comprising:attaching an anchor indirectly to the floating platform.
 17. The methodof installing a floating platform for an air diffuser of claim 16,wherein the anchor is attached by an anchor line with at least two (2)feet of slack.